A Muslim Female Role Model

Hummus —

We all desire to be something or someone better. It is human nature to be dissatisfied with oneself. Our efforts to enhance our lifestyles are limitless. We are always looking for new ways to improve ourselves. However, we have to channel our desires to excel in a certain direction. We should ask ourselves, if there was someone I wanted to imitate who would it be? Who could we take as an example, a standard to measure ourselves against? Would it be the stick thin models of today, who do not even have the common sense to realise they are being exposed and disposed of whenever it suits the fashion industry? Or would it be the Bollywood stars, who are not even recognisable for their acting skills, but rather their parents were legends in this industry of idol worship?...

If they are the role models we wish to live upto, then sisters,the glitz and glamour of that superficial world will keep us far from the fragrance of Jannah. There is no room for such women in Jannah for Jannah is for the pure, believing women. We want to be recognised as believing women, the Muslimaat, the Muamminaat, the Muhsinaat. These were the titles of pious women before us. Real women, empowered women, women with firm belief and unwavering strength, women who can teach us a thing or two about living and dying, they knew the way to succeed in the Dunya and the Aakhirah.. We must look into the lives of those who preceded us, not just in history but preceded us in Jannah. Why were such women promised Jannah by Allah, the Lord of all the Worlds? What did they possess, that so many of us lack today?

TPOS — Mon, 1 Aug 2011 - 15:42

🙂

This reminds me I had a book entitled 'The women of paradise' or something like that. It described the lives of the Prophet ï·º wives. I don't think I read it all...should find it...

You — Fri, 5 Aug 2011 - 01:19

On the one hand, seeing others having walked the path can provide hope and insight.

On the other, the role model will still be human and able to fall from grace quite spectacularly (which is especially a reason I dont approve of child role models).

Bugz — Fri, 5 Aug 2011 - 09:28

[quote=Ocean]You don't NEED a role model.

If Islam's quite ethical and stuff then using your own initiative and with a few brain cells you can be a better person all round.

Alright I know it's good to have someone gone through life before you so that you can expect stuff to happen in life but then there's no fun.

But if you find that you work better with a role model, having someone already lived your life for you then yeah fine keep it up but role models are like following the breadcrumbs. Sounds easy but it aint because we live in a completely different world today.[/quote]

Sometimes it's necessary, has Allah Swt not sent us the perfect role model in Rasool Sallalahu Allaihi Wassalam?

You can't become a driver, a doctor, engineer, lawyer etc. without learning from one. You cannot attain perfection without following or learning from the perfect(though none of us will ever achieve perfection we have to strive to get as close as possible). Perfection has already walked the earth over 1400 yrs ago.

The op is talking about role models who were probably Sahaba RA, who gained the title of Allah Swt being pleased with them, so obviously they are the perfect role models, who have the stamp of approval of the highest authority.

Rasool Sallalahu Allahi Wassalam has said:
“My companions are like (guiding) stars. Whomsoever you follow, you will be guided (on the right path).

LookingToSee — Fri, 5 Aug 2011 - 17:20

and when you follow a role model, do you follow EVERYTHING they do?

if yes then what Ocean is saying is quite good.

but i thought role models were just people you looked up to (not always, coz you'll get neck pain) for particular thing they do.

and some are more perfect than others, like the women promised paradize. even if you WERE to follow them action for action, there's no harm whatsoever. because the aim of life is to get jannah, and THEY are getting it.

life isnt about fun.

Ya'qub — Sun, 7 Aug 2011 - 21:40

[quote=Ocean]
Role models in my opinion is a lazy person's way of doing things. There's absolutely nothing unique about it.

Sorry.[/quote]

What does that even mean?

Ya'qub — Tue, 9 Aug 2011 - 21:42

[quote=Ocean]Just that I hate how they're all so perfect and yet they're ONLY humans just like us, just like me. [/quote]

Why do you hate? Jealousy?

[quote=Ocean]If there was a female Prophetess then I'd be up for it, but there are none. There's a difference between being a prophet and just a God fearing person.[/quote]

Why would that make a difference?

LookingToSee — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 - 00:50

a woman could not have been a prophet. but as i mentionned above. there ARE the women promised paradize. these are good rolle models.

and the prophet (pbuh) can be our role model too.

and no one takes a role model for their perfectness.